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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · November 15, 2025

“Simplified” Keyboard Accompaniment (PDF)

A simplified keyboard accompaniment for the “O Jesus Christ, Remember” hymn.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2025

‘Bogey’ of the Half-Educated: Paraphrase

This is something Monsignor Ronald Knox had to explain time and again…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 11, 2025

Father Cuthbert Lattey • “The Hebrew MSS”

“the ancient Christian versions (and some other ancient sources) seem to have been based upon a better Hebrew text…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 10, 2025

Re: The People’s Mass Book (1974)

“A Man Can Kill With a Gun, a Bomb, or a Lance…”

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2025

PDF Download • “Music List” for 9 November

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2025

“Music List” • 9 Nov. (Dedic. Lateran)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 8, 2025

PDF Download • Offertory (9 Nov.)

“Mother and Head of all churches of the City and of the World” says the inscription over the entrance.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 7, 2025

Job Opening • $65,000 per year +

Exciting job opening in Michigan for a Roman Catholic choir director!

Jeff Ostrowski · November 6, 2025

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

Jeff Ostrowski · November 4, 2025

Never Work For A Priest Or Bishop Who Believes Sacred Music Should Be “Entertainment”

Unsolicited advice for prospective choir directors.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 3, 2025

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

This setting cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 1, 2025

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

While the coffin is being carried to the grave, the following anthem is sung.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 31, 2025

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2025

2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”

Over the centuries, this ancient him became associated with the season of Advent.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 29, 2025

“Equal Voices” Choir Pieces

Including a setting of the “Ave Maria” and “Tantum Ergo.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
    Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
    Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
    Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026
    How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)
    I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”
    For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“There are some so restless that when they are free from labour they labour all the more, because the more leisure they have for thought, the worse interior turmoil they have to bear.”

— Pope Gregory the Great

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”
  • ‘Sarum’ Good Friday?
  • Gregorian Chant • The “Correct” Way of Singing ?
  • PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”
  • Fulton J. Sheen • “24-Hour Catechism”

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